force ma ‧ jeure /ˌfɔːs mæˈʒɜː $ ˌfɔːrs mɑːˈʒɜːr/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable] law
[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Language: French ; Origin: 'greater force' ]
unexpected events, for example a war, that prevent someone from doing what they had officially planned or agreed to do. An event like this can legally allow an agreement or contract to be changed or ended.